Life belt



Nov. l0, 1931. u. v. ABRAMOWITZ k 1,831,472

LIFE BELT Filed Sept. 12' 1930 INVENTOR BY l 7744-417/ ATT of NEY.

Patented Nov. 1(1), 193i UNITED STATES JOSEPH V. ABRAMOWITZ, F IBLOOMFIELD, NEW JERSEY LIFE :BELT

Application filed September 12, 1930. Serial No. 481,416.

This invention relates to a life belt used either by bathers as an 'aid to swimming or asa life preserver on Water craft, the belt being light in Weight, very buoyant, and comforts able on account of its smooth surface in contrast to those that are arranged in successive folds vand are provided with ridges on the surface.

The invention provides a belt of cork board Which is very light and is brittle to the point of breaking easily when bent. By placing a flexible or what might be called a conforming cover on the board it is supported sothat the y board can be easily bent to fit the body, as at the Waist and can be further bent so that it can be rolled. The latter feature is an advantage as many belts can be stored in a small space on a boat. The belt can be easily put on and there are no intricate loops or straps .20 to be adjusted by persons in a hurry to don the belt or by people in a panic. y

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure'l is a perspective view of my improved belt. Figure 2 is a perspective View of part of the cork board and its cover. Figure Bis a View of the belt rolled and Figure 4 is a view of a piece of board slitted to increase the flexibility.

In making the belt, I take a strip 10 of cork board of the usual commercial type which board is composed of cork particles which board is compressed and baked and the rosin and other material in the cork is caused to act as a binder for the mass. This board is very light and can be out and trimmed to suit but it is very brittle and the slightest movement to bend it results in breaking it through at the point of bending. To-overcome this I place a cover 11 over the board and secure this cover to the board by a Waterproof cement. The cover holds the board and prevents its cracking when flexed. The covers I have used are knitted ones which are flexible or Woven fabrics Which are arranged t5 on the bias so as to give the required flexibility. Rubber or rubberized cloth can also be used forthis purpose. When so covered the cork board can be bent to form the body as in Figure 1 or it can be more tightly rolled as Vil in Figure 3. The cover Wheny cemented to the flexibility, and these slits are generally made i laterally relative to the bending movement.

A suitable strap 13 or other fastening means can be used to secure the belt in place and I shovv the strap supported in loops 14.

The. cross-sectional 4shape can be varied,

eitherca rectangular form as in Figure 2, a strip-tapered top and bottom as in Figure 1,

or any other desired shaping can be resorted to.

VI claim 1 v 1. A life belt comprising a strip of cork particles which are held together by an adhesive and a cover to hold the strip against cracking so that the strip can be rolled.

2. A life belt of cork board in a substantially continuous strip and a resilient cover to hold the cork board against cracking so that it can be placed around the body;

3. A- life belt comprising a strip of cork board and a fabric cover tov holdthe board against cracking When it is flexed, the fabric having its strands arranged on the bias on the board.

4. A life belt comprising a strip of cork board which is slitted transversely at intervals and a cover for the strip.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature.

JOSEPH V. ABRAMOWITZ. 

